The answer to iPod, Blackberry or an all-in-one gadget?

"Hello. Do you know me. Do you know what I can do? And where I can go? Or how I can change your life? You will. . . learn more on 3.2.06. . ."

This is the teaser on origamiproject.com. So what, you ask? The point is that the site is owned by Microsoft and has caused a flurry of speculation on the Internet that the software giant is on the verge of revealing a mini portable device.

Speculation suggests the introduction of a personalised mobile device or a very small tablet computer but the site offers no details, at least till Thursday. Some are even debating whether the gadget is an answer to Apple's iPod or the Blackberry.

However, the actual details are likely at the CeBit show that takes place March 9-15 in Hanover, Germany, if the Internet buzz is something to go by.

Now Origami as you may know is the Japanese art of folding paper into shapes representing objects -- like flowers, birds, etcetera. So what is Microsoft really up to? While the company has not shared details on Origami, its web site keeps teasing those who log on.

"The only other thing I can share at this time is that Origami is a concept we've been working on with partners," according to Doug Houger, business and marketing officer, Microsoft (India), "and that the video seen on Digital Kitchen's (the company behind the Origami ad campaign) web site is a year old and represents our initial exploration into this form factor, including possible uses and scenarios."

Digital Kitchen, till recently, had a video on the possible product (though one wonders why Microsoft would want the leak). The link apparently has been removed.

However, links that exist elsewhere suggest that Origami is a pen-input-based "mini TabletPC" device with a USB host functionality and a built-in GPS (Global positioning satellite to know where you're going besides other uses).

Origami may also have wireless access and tap into your existing Windows Media Center-based PC (if you have one) to playback music/video from anywhere near your home.

One may recall that Microsoft first showed off an Origami-like prototype at last year's Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle with Bill Gates flashing something with a six-inch screen that Microsoft hoped to sell for $800 or less. This time, the "mysterious" gadget is rumoured to retail somewhere around $600.

Incidentally, Intel has already been working on multimedia tablet-style PCs running Windows XP. A prototype, called Ruby, was shown to some industry analysts last year. And as the details unfold periodically, Microsoft appears to be enjoying the buzz about Origami. Let's hope the product matches the hype.

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